FOR the second time in two days the Bendigo Spirit suffered a WNBL loss by at least 30 points on Saturday night.
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Again, the Spirit struggled defensively as Townsville romped to a 94-59 victory at home in what was the Spirit’s 250th game.
The 35-point hiding came on the back of the Spirit’s 30-point defeat to the Sydney Uni Flames two nights earlier, with Bendigo now languishing with a 2-7 record.
The Fire was quick to assert its authority, racing to a 7-0 lead inside the opening minute and was never headed.
By half-time the Fire’s lead was 25 and it grew to as many as 39 points – 86-47 – early in the last quarter.
Through nine games this season, Saturday night was the fifth where the Spirit has conceded at least 90 points.
The Spirit box score featured the 10 players who took to the court all scoring and grabbing at least one rebound. Betnijah Laney finished with doubles in both – 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Fellow import Rachel Banham (7 points) had an off-night from three-point range, making just one-of-nine, while the team went three-of-20.
In just under 20 minutes on court, Fire star Suzy Batkovic combined 18 points with 10 rebounds, while former Spirit player Kelly Wilson finished with seven points and dished out seven assists.